The roomy Ford Explorer utility vehicle is back for its second model year since a complete redesign, and it sees few changes other than the addition of a fuel-efficient new 4-cylinder engine to the lineup. The new 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder provides performance of a base-level V6 combined with the fuel efficiency of a four, Ford claims.
Also for 2012, the Explorer gets an expanded exterior color palette, including Ginger Ale Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic, Cinnamon Metallic and Black.

The redesigned Ford Explorer has also been rated one of the safest utility vehicles at any size or price; it's the first vehicle in the world to offer rear inflatable seatbelts. Curve control--a more advanced version of electronic stability control--is also a Ford exclusive and Ford's MyKey system helps parents reel in teen drivers.
And now it also stands out for being one of the greenest picks; Ford claims best-in-class gas mileage for non-hybrids and notes that the Explorer EcoBoost will go 20 percent farther on a gallon of gas than the Honda Pilot.